Cross-connection resolution in wireless power transfer systems

ABSTRACT

Power transmitting unit (PTU) usable with a wireless power transfer system to supply power and maintain a control signaling link to a local power receiving unit (PRU). A cross-connection circumstance between the PTU and a remote PRU is determined, where a control signaling link between the PTU and the remote PRU is established in an absence of power transmission to the remote PRU from the PTU. In response to the cross-connection circumstance, the control signaling link with the remote PRU is terminated while the supply of power and the control signaling link with the local PRU is maintained. In a related embodiment, a wrong-placement characteristic where power is transferred to a rogue local PRU in an absence of a control signaling link with that PRU, is detected. In response, the supply of power is maintained for at least a waiting period.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/975,105, filed Dec. 18, 2015, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to information processing andcommunications and, more particularly, to wireless power transfer (WPT)systems, components thereof, and associated operational methodology.

BACKGROUND

Wireless power transfer (WPT) involves the transmission of power from apower transmitting unit (PTU) to one or more power receiving units(PRU). For instance, in one typical application, a charging pad forportable electronic devices uses near-field electromagnetic coupling ofpower to power-receiving devices such as smartphones, accessories (e.g.,wireless headphones), and similar devices. In general operation, when aPRU is placed engaged for WPT with a PTU, the PRU is positioned relativeto the PTU so that the electromagnetic coupling may take place. Inaddition, a separate wireless communication link may be established overwhich the PTU and PRU can coordinate their WPT-related operations,including session and power control management.

In applications where a single PTU can support multiple PRUs, across-connection problem may manifest in situations where a PRU islocated within wireless communication proximity with two or more PTUs. Apractical solution is needed to better address the issues withcross-connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. Like numerals havingdifferent letter suffixes may represent different instances of similarcomponents. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, butnot by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the presentdocument.

FIG. 1 is a high-level system diagram illustrating an operationalexample of a wireless power transfer (WPT) system in which multiplepower transmitting units (PTUs) are in proximity, leading to a potentialfor cross-connections with power receiving units (PRUs) in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating an example PTU inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram illustrating an example PRU inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system architectureof a cross-connection correction engine of a PTU in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example sequence of operationsand decisions carried out by a cross-connection correction engine of aPTU with which a rogue local PRU has at least partially engaged, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example sequence of operationsand decisions carried out by a cross-connection correction engine of aPTU with which a PRU has established a control signaling link, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a timeline diagram illustrating the relative timings ofcertain operations of the processes of FIGS. 5-6 in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flow diagrams illustrating an exemplary processescarried out by a cross-connection correction engine in accordance withsome embodiments for assessing whether a measured PTU load matches withan established control signaling link with a PRU.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are directed to wireless power transfer (WPT) equipment andoperations. Some embodiments relate to loosely-coupled (LC) WPT, inwhich non-radiative, near field, resonant power transfer is achievedthrough mutual coupling of transducers (e.g., resonant or inductiveantennas) of the power transmitting unit (PTU) and one or more powerreceiving units (PRUs). As an example, some embodiments are applicablewith WPT systems described in standards such as those promulgated by theAlliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) and the Power Matters Alliance (PMA),now merged as the AirFuel Alliance. In one such embodiment, the WPT is aloosely-coupled wireless power transfer (LC-WPT). Related embodimentsmay also be applicable outside the specifications or guidelines ofparticular industry standards. For the sake of brevity, the presentdisclosure describes embodiments in the context of an A4WP-relatedsystem, through it will be understood that various aspects of theembodiments may be more widely applied within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a high-level system diagram illustrating an operationalexample of a wireless power transfer (WPT) system in which multiplepower transmitting units (PTUs) are in proximity, leading to a potentialfor cross-connections with power receiving units (PRUs) in accordancewith some embodiments. As depicted in this example, PTU 102 and PTU 104each supply WPT to one or more PRU devices from among PRU 115, PRU 117,and PRU 119. Each PRU 115, 117, 119 may be part of any suitableself-powered device, such as, by way of non-limiting example, asmartphone, tablet computing device, wireless headset/microphone,wireless earphones, smartwatch, physiologic or fitness monitor, portablepersonal computer, video or photo camera, computer mouse, remotecontrol, or the like. The WPT functionality may be used to chargeon-board batteries, power the device for partial or total operability,or some combination thereof.

Each PTU device may have any suitable form factor. For instance, a PTUmay be incorporated in a pad designed to lay on a horizontal surface.Other form factors can include incorporation of a PTU into a containerlid, a table, desk, or countertop surface, a vehicle dashboard orconsole, a pedestal, a bookstand or note-stand, a cabinet door, mirror,other non-horizontal surface, or the like.

There is a possibility that a PRU can be coupled for power transfer froma first PTU while being communicatively linked with a second, different,PTU. In this case, the PRU and power transfer-coupled PTU cannotproperly coordinate their WPT-related operations.

PTU 102 and PTU 104 are situated within wireless communication proximitywith one another's PRU devices, which can result in an undesiredcross-connection situation. As depicted, PTU 102 and PTU 104 are in thegeneral vicinity of each other. For example, they may both be situatedin the same room, on the same table, desk, or countertop, bookshelf,etc. PTU 122 is engaged with PRU 115 via WPT coupling 122 and wirelesscontrol signaling link 132. In similar fashion, PTU 104 is engaged withPRU 117 via WPT coupling 126 and wireless control signaling link 134.

PRU 119 is cross-connected with PTU 102 and 104. As depicted in thisexample, PRU 119 is partially engaged with PTU 104 via WPT coupling 124,but wireless control signaling link 137 is between PRU 119 and PTU 102.In this situation, the WPT coupling 124 results in unaccounted-for powerconsumption from PTU 104, taking up energy resources from PTU 104 andpotentially resulting in a power transfer parameter mismatch (e.g.,insufficient power transfer to PRU 119, over-voltage, etc.). Thecross-connection of wireless control signaling link 137 is also notwithout consequence: through the control signaling, PTU 102 isimproperly informed of a power utilization that does not actually takeplace. This error may cause PTU 102 to have reduced capacity for servingother PRU devices that could otherwise benefit from obtaining WPT fromPTU 102.

One conventional approach to dealing with cross-connected PTU and PRUdevices has been to detect a lost-power error condition by the PTU towhich a rogue PRU is coupled for power transfer (but not forcommunications). The PTU is configured to cycle power by temporarilypowering off, and then re-starting, its WPT operations in response tothe lost-power condition, thereby prompting the PRU device to re-attemptits wireless communications connection. This process may take upwards oftens of seconds, and possibly longer, which presents an observabledisruption that may affect the user experience of PRU 117.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating an example PTU inaccordance with some embodiments. PTU 202 includes at least one powertransmission transducer 204. In an embodiment, power transmissiontransducer 204 is a resonator tuned to an operating frequency. Oneexample of an operating frequency is 6.78 MHz, as called for in theRezence™ standard promulgated by A4WP, although the scope of theembodiments is not limited in this respect. In another embodiment, powertransmission transducer 204 is a planar coil designed for inductivepower transfer, such as described in the Qi™ standard promulgated by theWireless Power Consortium. In other embodiments, any suitable design andconstruction of a power transmission transducer is contemplated, whetherpresently known, or arising in the future.

Power transmission transducer 204 is driven by power amplifier circuitry206 via impedance matching circuitry 208. Power amplifier 206, in turn,is powered via power supply 210, which may convert power from anexternal or internal power source such as AC mains service, batterypower, vehicle power service, etc. Power supply 210 may also distributepower to the other circuitry of PTU 202, though this power distributionis not shown in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity. Processor 212 controlsthe operation of PTU 202, including commanding the operation of poweramplifier 206 and monitoring its performance, including measuring theloading of the power amplifier 206. Processor 212 may also monitor andcontrol power supply 210, according to certain embodiments. In anembodiment, processor 212 comprises a microcontroller circuit that isbased on one or more microprocessor cores, and also includes memory,input/output facilities such as address, data, and control nodes, serialcommunications via a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART)device, analog-to digital conversion (A/D) circuitry, digital-to-analogconversion (D/A) circuitry, and the like.

Wireless communications circuitry 216 is configured to carry out thecontrol signaling link between the PTU and PRUs. In general, wirelesscommunications circuitry 216 conduct two-way data communications, underthe control of processor 212, over a wireless link, such as BluetoothLow Energy (BLE) or other suitable communications modality forshort-range communications, such as, for example, Wi-Fi, etc., as wellas non-radio information carriers (e.g., infrared, ultrasonic, etc.).Wireless communications circuitry 216 is coupled to communicationstransducer 218, which may be an antenna, as depicted, forradio-frequency implementations, but may take other forms (e.g., lightor sound emission/sensing) commensurate with the communication modality.

Data storage device 214, which may be integrated, or interfaced, withprocessor 212, includes a non-volatile memory or other data storagearrangement that contains instructions that, when executed by processor212, form a plurality of engines, as will be described below. Also, datastorage device 214 can store operational parameters, configurationsettings, cryptographic key information, operational logs, and any otherinformation necessary for the operation of PTU 202. In one exampleembodiment, data storage device 214 is implemented using flash memorytechnology, though any suitable type of non-volatile memory may beutilized.

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram illustrating an example PRU inaccordance with some embodiments. As discussed above, PRU 302 may beincorporated into a portable electronic device, which includes the load310 to which the WPT is delivered by the other components of PRU 302.Load 310 can include a battery charging circuit, a power distributioncircuit, or the like. In a related embodiment, PRU 302 constitutes thebattery charging circuit or power distribution circuit for the portableelectronic device.

PRU 302 includes a power reception transducer 304 which, according tovarious embodiments, may be optimized as a resonator orinductive-coupling transducer for receiving WPT. Received power flows torectifier 306 to be converted to a unipolar signal, such as afull-wave-rectified signal, or a DC signal. Power monitor 307 measuresone or more parameters of the transferred power to PRU 302, such as thereceived voltage, the current being consumed from the WPT, waveform,ripple, etc. In a related embodiment, power monitor 307 is situated onthe input side to rectifier 306 rather than on the output side, as shownin the embodiment depicted. Power converter 308 conditions the receivedpower and adjusts the voltage to meet the needs of load 310.Conditioning can include completing the conversion of power to DC,filtering any residual ripple, boosting the voltage, reducing thevoltage, etc. In an embodiment, power converter 308 includes a controlsystem and a switching regulator-based circuit that can adapt thevoltage to be delivered to load 310 from a wide range of input voltagesranging from values less than the target output voltage to valuesgreater than the target output voltage.

Wireless communications circuitry 316 and communications transducer 318operate as counterpart communications peers of the control signalinglink carried out with PTU 202. In terms of their structure andoperations, wireless communications circuitry 316 and communicationstransducer 318 may be analogous to their counterparts that are in PTU202, namely, wireless communications circuitry 216 and communicationstransducer 218, though communications transducer 318 may be of adifferent size, generally smaller, than its counterpart, communicationstransducer 218.

Processor 312 monitors and controls the operations of the othercomponents according to instructions on data storage device 314.Processor 312 and data storage device 314 may be analogous in a generalsense to processor and data storage device 212 and 214, respectively, ofPTU 202.

Notably, in an embodiment, processor 312 uses the output received frompower monitor 307 to read data that may be encoded in the WPT waveform.The data may appear as a temporal variation in the voltage of thetransferred power signal, and may be encoded as a baseband signal, ormodulated onto a carrier wave. In a related embodiment, processor 312implements a cross connection detection engine that reads data encodedon the WPT waveform that indicates a PTU-specific code, such as a PTUID, or session ID, for example, and compares this ID againstcorresponding PTU-specific information transmitted via the controlsignaling link. In so doing, the cross connection detection engineidentifies a cross connection, to which PRU 302 may respond byautomatically resetting the WPT session for the purpose of establishinga proper WPT configuration with the correct PTU.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system architectureof a cross-connection correction engine of a PTU in accordance with someembodiments. The term “engine” as used herein is understood to encompassa tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed,specifically configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily (e.g.,transitorily) configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a specifiedmanner or to perform at least part of any operation described herein.Considering examples in which engines are temporarily configured, anengine may be instantiated at particular moments in time. For example,where the engines comprise a general-purpose hardware processorconfigured using software, the general-purpose hardware processor may beconfigured as respective different engines at different times. Programinstructions may accordingly configure a hardware processor, forexample, to constitute a particular engine at one instance of time andto constitute a different engine at a different instance of time.

Cross-connection correction engine 400 is itself composed of a set ofengines that include cross-connection detector engine 402, timer 403,rogue placement detector engine 404, control signaling connectionmonitor 406, power transfer monitor 408, and response decision engine410. Cross-connection detector engine 402 is programmed, or otherwiseconfigured, to detect a cross-connection circumstance in which there isa control signaling link between PTU and a remote PRU in an absence ofpower transmission to the remote PRU. Referring to FIG. 1,cross-connection detector engine 402 operates on PTU 102 to detect thatPRU 119, which in this case is remote to PTU 102, is cross-connected.

In an embodiment, cross-connection detector engine 402 determines apresence of a cross-connection based on a measurement of relativetiming, based on an output of timer 403, between establishment of thecontrol signaling link with the remote PRU and a load variationexpectation corresponding to near-field coupling of a local PRU with thepower circuitry via the power transmission transducer. In a relatedembodiment, cross-connection detector engine 402 determines a presenceof the cross-connection circumstance based on an indication, via thecontrol signaling link with the remote PRU, of actual received power,(e.g., a measurement of the amount of power transfer received) by theremote PRU. This actual received power value is then used as the loadvariation expectation to be associated with a presence or absence of ameasured load variation by the power circuitry of the PTU that wouldhave corresponded to the actual received power reported. In a more basicembodiment, the load variation expectation is defined as some amount ofload increase that is greater than a set threshold, with the thresholdbeing set to an load change amount that exceeds a predefined loadvariability typically associated with variations in PRU operatingregime. This latter embodiment avoids having to receive the actualmeasured power information from the PRUs.

Rogue placement detector engine 404, according to an embodiment, detectsa wrong-placement characteristic in which there is WPT to a rogue localPRU in the absence of a control signaling link with the rogue local PRU.Referring again to FIG. 1, rogue placement detector engine 404 operateson PTU 104 to detect that there is a rogue PRU drawing power via WPTfrom PTU 104. In this case, PRU 119, which is local to PTU 104, is arogue PRU. In this embodiment, rogue placement detector engine 404 doesnot need to identify the rogue PRU; rather, only the presence of thewrong-placement characteristic.

In a related embodiment, rogue placement detector engine 404 includesfunctionality for detecting rogue objects placed in the electromagneticfield, that are not a PRU, and distinguishing those objects from a roguePRU. Various techniques for detecting rogue objects are well known, andare not detailed herein, except to point out that any suitable rogueobject detection technique, whether currently known, or arising in thefuture, is contemplated as potentially usable with the embodimentsdescribed herein.

Control signaling connection monitor engine 406 is programmed, orotherwise configured, to detect and signal the presence of controlsignaling links, and extracts relevant information from the controlsignaling received from linked PRUs. Examples of such relevantinformation include PTU IDs, PRU IDs, session IDs or other identifyingcodes, along with power transfer state and measurement information. Thisinformation is passed to cross-connection detector engine 402 and rogueplacement detector engine 404. Power transfer monitor engine 408collects information representing the loading of the power transfercircuitry. This information is processed to assess load variations thatmay correspond to the addition or removal of PRUs. This information isused by cross-connection detector engine 402 and rogue placementdetector engine 404 in producing their respective detections.

Response decision engine 410 is programmed, or otherwise configured, toobtain the detections produced by cross-connection detector engine 402and rogue placement detector engine 404, and to apply decision criteriato perform a suitable action or inaction in the resolution of across-connection. Actions include interrupting WPT operation,terminating the control signaling link with specific PRUs, or acombination thereof. An example of an inaction is complying with aconfigured time delay. In a related embodiment, response decision engine410 maintains a list of PRUs that are not currently permitted to engagewith the PTU for WPT. This list may be dynamic, with the blacklisting ofPTUs being subject to expiration after the passage of a configured timeduration. In another related embodiment, response decision engine 410includes criteria for self-adjusting certain other decision criteriabased on certain observed or inferred circumstances. For instance,certain responses may require more urgency than others, for the sake ofsafety or efficiency. In one example, WPT may be disconnected morequickly in response to a cross-connection with a comparativelyhigher-energy-consuming PRU than with a comparativelylower-energy-consuming PRU.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example sequence of operationsand decisions carried out by a cross-connection correction engine of aPTU with which a rogue local PRU has at least partially engaged, inaccordance with some embodiments. Decision 502 monitors an increase inthe loading measured by the WPT power circuitry. In the affirmativecase, the process advances to operation 504, in which a timer is set tovalue A. The setting A for this timer is a time delay setting thatrepresents a time window afforded to the PTU devices in a cross-connectsituation to correct the cross-connection problem before PTU 104 is toreset the WPT, thereby disrupting its local PRU(s) to some extent. In arelated embodiment, the amount of time delay A may be varied based onthe amount of loading increase, with greater loading corresponding to ashorter time delay setting according to preconfigured time adjustmentcriteria.

At 506, timer A is started, and the process advances to decision 508,which tests whether timer A has expired. While timer A has not yetexpired, the process advances to decision 510, which checks whether acontrol signaling connection has been established with a PRU. In theabsence of the control signaling link, the process advances to decision512, which applies the rogue object (non-PRU) detection criteria tocheck if the loading increase was due to a non-PRU object, in which casethe load variation is not attributable to a cross connection. In thecase of a rogue object detection, the WPT is terminated at 514, and arogue object status may be logged and communicated to any connected PRUsto inform their users.

In the absence of a rogue object detection at 512, a wrong-placementcharacteristic may be noted, though no action is taken immediately.Instead, the process loops back to 508 to check for expiration of timerA, and any appearance of a control signaling link at 510. In the casewhere a control signaling link is established, the process advances todecision 516, which checks if the control signaling link is associatedwith the measured load increase. This may be accomplished according tovarious embodiments, such as those described in FIGS. 8A and 8B below.In the event of a match, cross-connection correction engine 400determines that the WPT engagement is valid at 518, and registers it assuch for normal operation. Timer A is reset at 520, and the processrestarts. In the event of a non-match at 516, the process loops back todecision 512 to check for a rogue object, or otherwise wait for theexpiration of timer A in the presence of an apparent wrong-placementcharacteristic.

Upon the expiration of time A, the process advances to decision 522 tocheck if the load increase has been resolved, such as by removal of therogue PRU. In the affirmative case, the process advances to 520 to resettimer A and restart. Otherwise, the process advances to 524 to reset theWPT, which will prompt the engaged PRUs to re-establish theirengagements, and give the rogue PRU an opportunity to engage with thePTU correctly.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example sequence of operationsand decisions carried out by a cross-connection correction engine of aPTU with which a PRU has established a control signaling link, inaccordance with some embodiments. This process begins at 600. At 602 thePTU waits for establishment of a control signaling link. In theaffirmative case, the process advances to 604, where timer B is started.Timer B is set with a shorter time duration than timer A. Time durationB represent a time window in which the WPT power coupling and controlsignaling link connection are expected to occur in a proper WPTengagement. At 606 the process checks if time B has expired. In thenegative case, the process advances to decision 608, in whichcross-connection correction engine 400 checks for the occurrence of aload increase. In the absence of a load increase, the process loops backto 606 as timer B continues to run toward expiration.

A load increase during time duration B would indicate the possibility ofa valid WPT engagement. Accordingly, in this case the process advancesto decision 610, in which cross-connection correction engine 400assesses whether there is a match between the load increase and the PRUwith which the control signaling link was established. FIGS. 8A and 8Billustrate example embodiments for performing this decision. In thepositive case, a valid WPT engagement is registered at 612, timer B iscleared at 614, and the process is reset to watch for the next controlsignaling link connection. On the other hand, if decision 610 fails todetermine a match, the process loops back to decision 606, and mayadditionally call the process of FIG. 5 to respond to the load increase.

In response to expiration of timer B, cross-connection correction engine400 causes the PTU to immediately disconnect the specific controlsignaling link in question while leaving any other control signalinglinks and WPT engagements undisturbed, as indicated at operation 616. Inaddition, at 618, the PRU is temporarily prevented from re-establishingthe control signaling link to the PTU for a predetermined time durationC, with the understanding that the disconnected PRU is a remote PRUinsofar as this PTU is concerned. In an embodiment, time duration C issufficiently long that the PRU will preferentially find another PTU withwhich to establish the control signaling link. The process then advancesto 614 to clear timer B and restart.

FIG. 7 is a timeline diagram illustrating the relative timings ofcertain operations of the processes of FIGS. 5-6 in accordance with someembodiments. With reference to the system arrangement of FIG. 1, timer Ais longer than timer B to allow for PTU 102 to identify thecross-connection and disconnect the control signaling link with remotePRU 119, without disturbing PRU 115 and PRU 117, each of which isvalidly engaged for WPT with its respective PTU. In the embodimentdepicted, time duration B+C is also shorter than time duration A toallow for PTU 119 to be moved to PTU 102 from PTU 104 as a solution tothe cross-connection, without disturbing PTU 119.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flow diagrams illustrating an exemplary processescarried out by a cross-connection correction engine in accordance withsome embodiments for assessing whether a measured PTU load matches withan established control signaling link with a PRU. In FIG. 8A, at 804, anexpected load for a control-signaling-link-connected PRU is ascertained.This may be accomplished in one example embodiment by simply obtaining ameasured power transfer parameter from that PRU. In a relatedembodiment, the PRU requests a certain amount of power, and therequested amount is assigned by the PTU as being the expected load. Inanother embodiment, a PRU type indication is obtained via the controlsignaling link, and a range of WPT loading may be obtained from a lookuptable corresponding to the type of PRU. At 806, the load increase at thePTU is measured during the comparatively short time duration B. At 808,a comparison is made between the actual and expected values. If theresult of the comparison is similar load values (e.g., within aprescribed tolerance), a match is indicated at 812; otherwise, anon-match is returned at 814.

FIG. 8B illustrates another approach to checking for a match between aPRU connected via a control signaling link, and a PRU at least partiallyengaged for WPT via the power coupling. At 822, the WPT power amplifierof the PTU sends a code by variation of the voltage, as discussed in oneof the example embodiments above. The code can be PTU specific (e.g., aPTU ID), and may further be session-specific e.g., generated based on atimestamp, for instance. At 824, the code is checked via the controlsignaling link in question. The checking of the code may be accomplishedaccording to a variety of approaches, one of which simply involves thePRU returning a copy of the code via control signaling, and the PTUchecking for a match. In another embodiment, cryptography is utilized inconnection with the code checking.

If the codes correspond with one another, whether by direct match, orotherwise meeting certain criteria, a match indication is returned at828. Otherwise, a non-match is returned at 830.

ADDITIONAL NOTES & EXAMPLES

Example 1 is apparatus for a power transmitting unit (PTU) to supplypower to a local power receiving unit (PRU) via coupling between a powertransmission transducer of the PTU and the PRU, the apparatuscomprising: power circuitry to drive the power transmission transducer;wireless communication circuitry to establish a control signaling linkwith the local PRU; and processing circuitry to control the powercircuitry and the wireless communication circuitry to: provide a supplyof power and the control signaling link with the local PRU; detect across-connection circumstance between the PTU and a remote PRU definedas a control signaling link between the PTU and the remote PRU in anabsence of power transmission to the remote PRU; and in response todetection of the cross-connection circumstance, terminate the controlsignaling link with the remote PRU while the supply of power and thecontrol signaling link is maintained with the local PRU.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes,wherein the control signaling link is a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) link.

In Example 3, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-2optionally include, wherein the power transmission transducer comprisesa resonator coil.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-3optionally include, wherein the power circuitry and the wirelesscommunication circuitry are configured for loosely-coupled wirelesspower transfer (LC-WPT).

In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-4optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: detect the cross-connection circumstance based on ameasurement of relative timing between establishment of the controlsignaling link with the remote PRU and a load variation expectationcorresponding to near-field coupling of a local PRU with the powercircuitry via the power transmission transducer.

In Example 6, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-5optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: detect the cross-connection circumstance based on anindication, via the control signaling link with the remote PRU, ofreceived power by the remote PRU, and an absence of a measured loadvariation by the power circuitry of the PTU.

In Example 7, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-6optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to detect the cross-connection circumstance based on: acommunication of a PTU-specific code by variation of supply power viathe transmission transducer; and determination, based on communicationsvia the control signaling link, of receipt failure of the PTU-specificcode by any PRU.

In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-7optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: terminate the control signaling link with the remote PRUwithin a predefined time duration b; and maintain the supply of powerand the control signaling link with the local PRU for a time duration a,wherein a is greater than b.

In Example 9, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-8optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: in response to termination of the control signaling linkwith the remote PRU, prevent establishment of a control signaling linkwith the remote PRU for a predefined time duration.

In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-9optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: detect a wrong-placement characteristic wherein power istransferred to a rogue local PRU via the power transmission transducerin an absence of a control signaling link with the rogue local PRU; andin response to the wrong-placement characteristic: maintain the supplyof power via the power transmission transducer for at least a waitingperiod; during the waiting period, monitor for cessation of thewrong-placement characteristic; in response to cessation of the wrongplacement characteristic during the waiting period, maintain the supplyof power via the power transmission transducer; in response tonon-cessation of the wrong placement characteristic during the waitingperiod, terminate the supply of power via the power transmissiontransducer.

In Example 11, the subject matter of Example 10 optionally includes,wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control thepower circuitry and wireless communication circuitry to: detect apresence of a non-PRU rogue object; in response to the presence of thenon-PRU rogue object, terminate the supply of power immediately.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 10-11optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: adjust the waiting period based on an amount of outputpower being supplied via the power transmission transducer.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 10-12optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: in response to the wrong-placement characteristic,communicate a PTU-specific code by variation of supply power via thetransmission transducer.

In Example 14, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-13optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: send a PTU-specific code to each PRU via the controlsignaling link.

Example 15 is apparatus for a power transmitting unit (PTU) to supplypower to a local power receiving unit (PRU) via coupling between a powertransmission transducer of the PTU and the PRU, the apparatuscomprising: power circuitry to drive the power transmission transducer;wireless communication circuitry to establish a control signaling linkwith the local PRU; and processing circuitry to control the powercircuitry and wireless communication circuitry to: provide a supply ofpower and the control signaling link with the local PRU; detect awrong-placement characteristic comprising power transfer to a roguelocal PRU via the power transmission transducer in an absence of acontrol signaling link with the rogue local PRU; and in response todetection of the wrong-placement characteristic, maintain the supply ofpower for at least a waiting period.

In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 optionally includes,wherein the processing circuitry is to control the power circuitry andwireless communication circuitry to: monitor for cessation of thewrong-placement characteristic during the waiting period; and inresponse to an expiration of the waiting period and a non-cessation ofthe wrong-placement characteristic during the waiting period, interruptthe supply of power.

In Example 17, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 15-16optionally include, wherein the power transmission transducer comprisesa resonator coil.

In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 15-17optionally include, wherein the control signaling link is a Bluetoothlow energy (BLE) link.

In Example 19, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 15-18optionally include, wherein the power circuitry and the wirelesscommunication circuitry are configured to establish loosely-coupledwireless power transfer (LC-WPT).

In Example 20, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 15-19optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: in response to cessation of the wrong placementcharacteristic during the waiting period, maintain the supply of powervia the power transmission transducer; and in response to non-cessationof the wrong placement characteristic during the waiting period,terminate the supply of power via the power transmission transducer.

In Example 21, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 15-20optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: adjust the waiting period based on an amount of outputpower being supplied via the power transmission transducer.

In Example 22, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 15-21optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: detect a presence of a non-PRU rogue object; in responseto the presence of the non-PRU rogue object, terminate the supply ofpower immediately.

In Example 23, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 15-22optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: in response to the wrong-placement characteristic,communicate a PTU-specific code by variation of supply power via thetransmission transducer.

In Example 24, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 15-23optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: detect a cross-connection circumstance between the PTU anda remote PRU wherein a control signaling link exists between the PTU andthe remote PRU in an absence of power transmission to the remote PRU viathe power transmission transducer; in response to the cross-connectioncircumstance detection, terminate the control signaling link with theremote PRU while the supply of power and the control signaling link ismaintained with the local PRU.

In Example 25, the subject matter of Example 24 optionally includes,wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to control thepower circuitry and wireless communication circuitry to: detect thecross-connection circumstance based on a measurement of relative timingbetween establishment of the control signaling link with the remote PRUand a load variation expectation corresponding to near-field coupling ofa local PRU with the power circuitry via the power transmissiontransducer.

In Example 26, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 24-25optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: detect the cross-connection circumstance based on anindication, via the control signaling link with the remote PRU, ofreceived power by the remote PRU, and an absence of a measured loadvariation by the power circuitry of the PTU.

In Example 27, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 24-26optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to detect the cross-connection circumstance based on: acommunication of a PTU-specific code by variation of supply power viathe transmission transducer; and determination, based on communicationsvia the control signaling link, of receipt failure of the PTU-specificcode by any PRU.

In Example 28, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 24-27optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: terminate the control signaling link with the remote PRUwithin a predefined time duration b, and maintain the supply of powerand the control signaling link with the local PRU for a time duration a,wherein a is greater than b.

In Example 29, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 24-28optionally include, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the power circuitry and wireless communicationcircuitry to: in response to termination of the control signaling linkwith the remote PRU, prevent establishment of a control signaling linkwith the remote PRU for a predefined time duration.

Example 30 is a computer-readable storage medium containing instructionsfor automatically operating a power transmitting unit (PTU) to supplypower to a local power receiving unit (PRU) via coupling between a powertransmission transducer of the PTU and the local PRU, the instructions,when executed by a processor of the PTU, cause the PTU to: provide asupply of power to the local PRU via the power transmission transducer;maintain a control signaling link with the local PRU; detect across-connection circumstance between the PTU and a remote PRUcomprising a control signaling link between the PTU and the remote PRUin an absence of power transmission to the remote PRU via the powertransmission transducer; and in response to detection of thecross-connection circumstance, terminate the control signaling link withthe remote PRU while maintaining the supply of power and the controlsignaling link with the local PRU.

In Example 31, the subject matter of Example 30 optionally includes,wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the PTU to:detect the cross-connection circumstance based on a measurement ofrelative timing between establishment of the control signaling link withthe remote PRU and a load variation expectation corresponding tonear-field coupling of a local PRU via the power transmissiontransducer.

In Example 32, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 30-31optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: detect the cross-connection circumstance based on anindication, via the control signaling link with the remote PRU, ofreceived power by the remote PRU, and an absence of a measured loadvariation by the power circuitry of the PTU.

In Example 33, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 30-32optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to detect the cross-connection circumstance based on: acommunication of a PTU-specific code by variation of supply power; anddetermination, based on communications via the control signaling link,of receipt failure of the PTU-specific code by any PRU.

In Example 34, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 30-33optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: maintain the supply of power and the control signalinglink with the local PRU for at least a time duration a; and terminatethe control signaling link with the remote PRU within a predefined timeduration b; wherein a is greater than b.

In Example 35, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 30-34optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: in response to termination of the control signalinglink with the remote PRU, prevent establishment of a control signalinglink with the remote PRU for a predefined time duration.

In Example 36, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 30-35optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: detect a wrong-placement characteristic wherein poweris transferred to a rogue local PRU via the power transmissiontransducer in an absence of a control signaling link with the roguelocal PRU; and in response to the wrong-placement characteristic:maintain the supply of power via the power transmission transducer forat least a waiting period; during the waiting period, monitor forcessation of the wrong-placement characteristic; in response tocessation of the wrong placement characteristic during the waitingperiod, maintain the supply of power via the power transmissiontransducer; in response to non-cessation of the wrong placementcharacteristic during the waiting period, terminate the supply of powervia the power transmission transducer.

In Example 37, the subject matter of Example 36 optionally includes,wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the PTU to:detect a presence of a non-PRU rogue object; in response to the presenceof the non-PRU rogue object, terminate the supply of power immediately.

In Example 38, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 36-37optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: adjust the waiting period based on an amount of outputpower being supplied via the power transmission transducer.

In Example 39, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 36-38optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: in response to the wrong-placement characteristic,communicate a PTU-specific code by variation of supply power via thetransmission transducer.

In Example 40, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 30-39optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: send a PTU-specific code to each PRU via the controlsignaling link.

Example 41 is a computer-readable storage medium containing instructionsfor automatically operating a power transmitting unit (PTU) to supplypower to a local power receiving unit (PRU) via coupling between a powertransmission transducer of the PTU and the local PRU, the instructions,when executed by a processor of the PTU, cause the PTU to: provide asupply of power to the local PRU via the power transmission transducer;maintain a control signaling link with the local PRU; detect awrong-placement characteristic comprising power transfer to a roguelocal PRU via the power transmission transducer in an absence of acontrol signaling link with the rogue local PRU; and in response todetection of the wrong-placement characteristic, maintain the supply ofpower via the power transmission transducer for at least a waitingperiod.

In Example 42, the subject matter of Example 41 optionally includes,wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the PTU tomonitor for cessation of the wrong-placement characteristic during thewaiting period and, in response to an expiration of the waiting periodand no cessation of the wrong-placement characteristic during thewaiting period, interrupt the supply of power.

In Example 43, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 41-42optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: in response to cessation of the wrong placementcharacteristic during the waiting period, maintain the supply of powervia the power transmission transducer; and in response to non-cessationof the wrong placement characteristic during the waiting period,terminate the supply of power via the power transmission transducer.

In Example 44, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 41-43optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: adjust the waiting period based on an amount of outputpower being supplied via the power transmission transducer.

In Example 45, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 41-44optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: detect a presence of a non-PRU rogue object; inresponse to detection of the presence of the non-PRU rogue object,terminate the supply of power immediately.

In Example 46, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 41-45optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: in response to the wrong-placement characteristic,communicate a PTU-specific code by variation of supply power via thetransmission transducer.

In Example 47, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 41-46optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: detect a cross-connection circumstance between the PTUand a remote PRU wherein a control signaling link exists between the PTUand the remote PRU in an absence of power transmission to the remote PRUvia the power transmission transducer; in response to detect thecross-connection circumstance, terminate the control signaling link withthe remote PRU while maintaining the supply of power and the controlsignaling link with the local PRU.

In Example 48, the subject matter of Example 47 optionally includes,wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the PTU to:detect the cross-connection circumstance based on a measurement ofrelative timing between establishment of the control signaling link withthe remote PRU and a load variation expectation corresponding tonear-field coupling of a local PRU with the power circuitry via thepower transmission transducer.

In Example 49, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 47-48optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: detect the cross-connection circumstance based on anindication, via the control signaling link with the remote PRU, ofreceived power by the remote PRU, and an absence of a measured loadvariation by the power circuitry of the PTU.

In Example 50, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 47-49optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to detect the cross-connection circumstance based on: acommunication of a PTU-specific code by variation of supply power; anddetermination, based on communications via the control signaling link,of receipt failure of the PTU-specific code by any PRU.

In Example 51, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 47-50optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: terminate the control signaling link with the remotePRU within a predefined time duration b; and maintain the supply ofpower and the control signaling link with the local PRU for a timeduration a; wherein a is greater than b.

In Example 52, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 47-51optionally include, wherein the instructions, when executed, furthercause the PTU to: in response to termination of the control signalinglink with the remote PRU, prevent establishment of a control signalinglink with the remote PRU for a predefined time duration.

Example 53 is a method for automatically operating a power transmittingunit (PTU) to supply power to a local power receiving unit (PRU) viacoupling between a power transmission transducer of the PTU and thelocal PRU, the method comprising: providing a supply of power to thelocal PRU via the power transmission transducer; maintaining a controlsignaling link with the local PRU; detecting a cross-connectioncircumstance between the PTU and a remote PRU comprising a controlsignaling link between the PTU and the remote PRU in an absence of powertransmission to the remote PRU via the power transmission transducer;and in response to detecting of the cross-connection circumstance,terminating the control signaling link with the remote PRU whilemaintaining the supply of power and the control signaling link with thelocal PRU.

In Example 54, the subject matter of Example 53 optionally includes,wherein maintaining the control signaling link includes maintaining aBluetooth low energy (BLE) link.

In Example 55, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 53-54optionally include, further comprising: detecting the cross-connectioncircumstance based on a measurement of relative timing betweenestablishment of the control signaling link with the remote PRU and aload variation expectation corresponding to near-field coupling of alocal PRU via the power transmission transducer.

In Example 56, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 53-55optionally include, further comprising: detecting the cross-connectioncircumstance based on an indication, via the control signaling link withthe remote PRU, of received power by the remote PRU, and an absence of ameasured load variation by the power circuitry of the PTU.

In Example 57, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 53-56optionally include, further comprising: detecting the cross-connectioncircumstance based on: communicating a PTU-specific code by varyingsupply power; and determining, based on communicating via the controlsignaling link, of receipt failure of the PTU-specific code by any PRU.

In Example 58, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 53-57optionally include, further comprising: maintaining the supply of powerand the control signaling link with the local PRU for at least a timeduration a; and terminating the control signaling link with the remotePRU within a predefined time duration b; wherein a is greater than b.

In Example 59, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 53-58optionally include, further comprising: in response to termination ofthe control signaling link with the remote PRU, preventing establishmentof a control signaling link with the remote PRU for a predefined timeduration.

In Example 60, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 53-59optionally include, further comprising: detecting a wrong-placementcharacteristic wherein power is transferred to a rogue local PRU via thepower transmission transducer in an absence of a control signaling linkwith the rogue local PRU; and in response to the wrong-placementcharacteristic: maintaining the supply of power via the powertransmission transducer for at least a waiting period; during thewaiting period, monitoring for cessation of the wrong-placementcharacteristic; in response to cessation of the wrong placementcharacteristic during the waiting period, maintaining the supply ofpower via the power transmission transducer; in response tonon-cessation of the wrong placement characteristic during the waitingperiod, terminating the supply of power via the power transmissiontransducer.

In Example 61, the subject matter of Example 60 optionally includes,further comprising: detecting a presence of a non-PRU rogue object; inresponse to the presence of the non-PRU rogue object, terminating thesupply of power immediately.

In Example 62, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 60-61optionally include, further comprising: adjusting the waiting periodbased on an amount of output power being supplied via the powertransmission transducer.

In Example 63, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 60-62optionally include, further comprising: in response to thewrong-placement characteristic, communicating a PTU-specific code byvariation of supply power via the transmission transducer.

In Example 64, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 53-63optionally include, further comprising: sending a PTU-specific code toeach PRU via the control signaling link.

Example 65 is a method for automatically operating a power transmittingunit (PTU) to supply power to a local power receiving unit (PRU) viacoupling between a power transmission transducer of the PTU and thelocal PRU, the method comprising: providing a supply of power to thelocal PRU via the power transmission transducer; maintaining a controlsignaling link with the local PRU; detecting a wrong-placementcharacteristic comprising power transfer to a rogue local PRU via thepower transmission transducer in an absence of a control signaling linkwith the rogue local PRU; in response to detecting the wrong-placementcharacteristic, and maintaining the supply of power via the powertransmission transducer for at least a waiting period.

In Example 66, the subject matter of Example 65 optionally includes,further comprising: monitoring for cessation of the wrong-placementcharacteristic during the waiting period; and in response to anexpiration of the waiting period and a non-cessation of thewrong-placement characteristic during the waiting period, interruptingthe supply of power.

In Example 67, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 65-66optionally include, further comprising: in response to cessation of thewrong placement characteristic during the waiting period, maintainingthe supply of power via the power transmission transducer; and inresponse to non-cessation of the wrong placement characteristic duringthe waiting period, terminating the supply of power via the powertransmission transducer.

In Example 68, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 65-67optionally include, further comprising: adjusting the waiting periodbased on an amount of output power being supplied via the powertransmission transducer.

In Example 69, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 65-68optionally include, further comprising: detecting a presence of anon-PRU rogue object; in response to detecting the presence of thenon-PRU rogue object, terminating the supply of power immediately.

In Example 70, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 65-69optionally include, further comprising: in response to thewrong-placement characteristic, communicating a PTU-specific code byvariation of supply power via the transmission transducer.

In Example 71, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 65-70optionally include, further comprising: detecting a cross-connectioncircumstance between the PTU and a remote PRU wherein a controlsignaling link exists between the PTU and the remote PRU in an absenceof power transmission to the remote PRU via the power transmissiontransducer; in response to detecting the cross-connection circumstance,terminating the control signaling link with the remote PRU whilemaintaining the supply of power and the control signaling link with thelocal PRU.

In Example 72, the subject matter of Example 71 optionally includes,further comprising: detecting the cross-connection circumstance based ona measurement of relative timing between establishment of the controlsignaling link with the remote PRU and a load variation expectationcorresponding to near-field coupling of a local PRU with the powercircuitry via the power transmission transducer.

In Example 73, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 71-72optionally include, further comprising: detecting the cross-connectioncircumstance based on an indication, via the control signaling link withthe remote PRU, of received power by the remote PRU, and an absence of ameasured load variation by the power circuitry of the PTU.

In Example 74, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 71-73optionally include, further comprising: detecting the cross-connectioncircumstance based on: communicating a PTU-specific code by varyingsupply power; and determining, based on communicating via the controlsignaling link, of receipt failure of the PTU-specific code by any PRU.

In Example 75, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 71-74optionally include, further comprising: terminating the controlsignaling link with the remote PRU within a predefined time duration b;and maintaining the supply of power and the control signaling link withthe local PRU for a time duration a; wherein a is greater than b.

In Example 76, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 71-75optionally include, further comprising: in response to termination ofthe control signaling link with the remote PRU, preventing establishmentof a control signaling link with the remote PRU for a predefined timeduration.

In Example 77, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 65-76optionally include, wherein maintaining the control signaling linkincludes maintaining a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) link.

Example 78 is apparatus for a power transmitting unit (PTU) to supplypower to a local power receiving unit (PRU) via coupling between a powertransmission means of the PTU and a power reception means of the PRU,the apparatus comprising: means for providing a supply of power to thelocal PRU via the power transmission means; means for maintaining acontrol signaling link with the local PRU; means for detecting across-connection circumstance between the PTU and a remote PRUcomprising a control signaling link between the PTU and the remote PRUin an absence of power transmission to the remote PRU via the powertransmission means; and means for terminating the control signaling linkwith the remote PRU while maintaining the supply of power and thecontrol signaling link with the local PRU, in response to detecting ofthe cross-connection circumstance.

In Example 79, the subject matter of Example 78 optionally includes,further comprising: means for detecting the cross-connectioncircumstance based on a measurement of relative timing betweenestablishment of the control signaling link with the remote PRU and aload variation expectation corresponding to near-field coupling of alocal PRU via the power transmission means.

In Example 80, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 78-79optionally include, further comprising: means for detecting thecross-connection circumstance based on an indication, via the controlsignaling link with the remote PRU, of received power by the remote PRU,and an absence of a measured load variation by the power circuitry ofthe PTU.

In Example 81, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 78-80optionally include, further comprising: means for detecting thecross-connection circumstance based on: communicating a PTU-specificcode by varying supply power; and determining, based on communicatingvia the control signaling link, of receipt failure of the PTU-specificcode by any PRU.

In Example 82, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 78-81optionally include, further comprising: means for maintaining the supplyof power and the control signaling link with the local PRU for at leasta time duration a; and means for terminating the control signaling linkwith the remote PRU within a predefined time duration b; wherein a isgreater than b.

In Example 83, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 78-82optionally include, further comprising: means for preventingestablishment of a control signaling link with the remote PRU for apredefined time duration, in response to termination of the controlsignaling link with the remote PRU.

In Example 84, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 78-83optionally include, further comprising: means for detecting awrong-placement characteristic wherein power is transferred to a roguelocal PRU via the power transmission means in an absence of a controlsignaling link with the rogue local PRU; and means for maintaining thesupply of power via the power transmission means for at least a waitingperiod in response to the wrong-placement characteristic; means formonitoring for cessation of the wrong-placement characteristic duringthe waiting period; means for maintaining the supply of power via thepower transmission means in response to cessation of the wrong placementcharacteristic during the waiting period; means for terminating thesupply of power via the power transmission means in response tonon-cessation of the wrong placement characteristic during the waitingperiod.

In Example 85, the subject matter of Example 84 optionally includes,further comprising: means for detecting a presence of a non-PRU rogueobject; and means for terminating the supply of power immediately inresponse to the presence of the non-PRU rogue object.

In Example 86, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 84-85optionally include, further comprising: means for adjusting the waitingperiod based on an amount of output power being supplied via the powertransmission means.

In Example 87, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 84-86optionally include, further comprising: means for communicating aPTU-specific code by variation of supply power via the transmissionmeans in response to the wrong-placement characteristic.

In Example 88, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 78-87optionally include, further comprising: means for sending a PTU-specificcode to each PRU via the control signaling link.

Example 89 is a method for automatically operating a power transmittingunit (PTU) to supply power to a local power receiving unit (PRU) viacoupling between a power transmission means of the PTU and a powerreception means of the local PRU, the method comprising: means forproviding a supply of power to the local PRU via the power transmissionmeans; means for maintaining a control signaling link with the localPRU; means for detecting a wrong-placement characteristic comprisingpower transfer to a rogue local PRU via the power transmission means inan absence of a control signaling link with the rogue local PRU; andmeans for maintaining the supply of power via the power transmissionmeans for at least a waiting period in response to detecting thewrong-placement characteristic.

In Example 90, the subject matter of Example 89 optionally includes,further comprising: means for monitoring for cessation of thewrong-placement characteristic during the waiting period; and means forinterrupting the supply of power in response to an expiration of thewaiting period and a non-cessation of the wrong-placement characteristicduring the waiting period.

In Example 91, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 89-90optionally include, further comprising: means for maintaining the supplyof power via the power transmission means in response to cessation ofthe wrong placement characteristic during the waiting period; and meansfor terminating the supply of power via the power transmission means inresponse to non-cessation of the wrong placement characteristic duringthe waiting period.

In Example 92, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 89-91optionally include, further comprising: means for adjusting the waitingperiod based on an amount of output power being supplied via the powertransmission means.

In Example 93, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 89-92optionally include, further comprising: means for detecting a presenceof a non-PRU rogue object; means for terminating the supply of powerimmediately in response to detecting the presence of the non-PRU rogueobject.

In Example 94, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 89-93optionally include, further comprising: means for communicating aPTU-specific code by variation of supply power via the transmissionmeans in response to the wrong-placement characteristic.

In Example 95, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 89-94optionally include, further comprising: means for detecting across-connection circumstance between the PTU and a remote PRU wherein acontrol signaling link exists between the PTU and the remote PRU in anabsence of power transmission to the remote PRU via the powertransmission means; and means for terminating the control signaling linkwith the remote PRU while maintaining the supply of power and thecontrol signaling link with the local PRU in response to detecting thecross-connection circumstance.

In Example 96, the subject matter of Example 95 optionally includes,further comprising: means for detecting the cross-connectioncircumstance based on a measurement of relative timing betweenestablishment of the control signaling link with the remote PRU and aload variation expectation corresponding to near-field coupling of alocal PRU with the power circuitry via the power transmission means.

In Example 97, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 95-96optionally include, further comprising: means for detecting thecross-connection circumstance based on an indication, via the controlsignaling link with the remote PRU, of received power by the remote PRU,and an absence of a measured load variation by the power circuitry ofthe PTU.

In Example 98, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 95-97optionally include, further comprising: means for detecting thecross-connection circumstance based on: communicating a PTU-specificcode by varying supply power; and determining, based on communicatingvia the control signaling link, of receipt failure of the PTU-specificcode by any PRU.

In Example 99, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 95-98optionally include, further comprising: means for terminating thecontrol signaling link with the remote PRU within a predefined timeduration b; and means for maintaining the supply of power and thecontrol signaling link with the local PRU for a time duration a; whereina is greater than b.

In Example 100, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 95-99optionally include, further comprising: means for preventingestablishment of a control signaling link with the remote PRU for apredefined time duration in response to termination of the controlsignaling link with the remote PRU.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments that may bepracticed. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.”Such examples may include elements in addition to those shown ordescribed. However, also contemplated are examples that include theelements shown or described. Moreover, also contemplate are examplesusing any combination or permutation of those elements shown ordescribed (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to aparticular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect toother examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or describedherein.

Publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this documentare incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as thoughindividually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistentusages between this document and those documents so incorporated byreference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) are supplementaryto that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usagein this document controls.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, theterms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system,device, article, or process that includes elements in addition to thoselisted after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within thescope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms“first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and arenot intended to suggest a numerical order for their objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with others. Otherembodiments may be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is to allow thereader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure andis submitted with the understanding that it will not be used tointerpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in theabove Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together tostreamline the disclosure. However, the claims may not set forthfeatures disclosed herein because embodiments may include a subset ofsaid features. Further, embodiments may include fewer features thanthose disclosed in a particular example. Thus, the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with a claim standingon its own as a separate embodiment. The scope of the embodimentsdisclosed herein is to be determined with reference to the appendedclaims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claimsare entitled.

1. (canceled)
 2. An apparatus for a power transmitter unit (PTU) tosupply power to a power receiver unit (PRU) via resonant coupling atapproximately 6.78 MHz, the apparatus comprising: a power amplifier; aresonator; a matching circuit coupled between power amplifier and theresonator; a microcontroller; and wireless communication circuitry toestablish a bi-directional communication link with the PRU, wherein themicrocontroller is configured to: exchange information for wirelesspower transfer (WPT) with the PRU over the communication link; cause thepower amplifier to generate an output by the resonator for resonantcoupling with a resonator of the PRU for the WPT; performcross-connection detection to determine if there is a cross-connectionwith the PRU; if a cross connection is detected, encode signalling fortransmission over the communication link to indicate that a crossconnection is detected and inhibit the WPT; if a cross connection is notdetected, enable the WPT after a time period and detection of a validload; and perform rogue object detection.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the microcontroller is configured to establish a communicationlink with each of multiple PRUs and supply power via WPT to each of themultiple PRUs.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the bi-directionalcommunication link is a short-range low energy (LE) link.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4 wherein the bi-directional communication link is aBLE link.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the signalling encoded fortransmission over the communication link is PTU specific.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein the microcontroller is configured to detecta cross connection based on measured load variation.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein the microcontroller is configured to determine if thePTU is permitted to engage with the PRU for WPT.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8 wherein the microcontroller is configured to generatingsignalling for transmission over the communication link to indicate thatWPT with the PRU is permitted.
 10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein themicrocontroller is configured to adjust a time period forcross-connection check.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein if WPT ispermitted, the microcontroller is configured to generate signalling fortransmission over the communication link to indicate waiting due tolimited available power.
 12. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium that stores instructions for execution by processing circuitry ofa power transmitter unit (PTU) to supply power to a power receiver unit(PRU) via resonant coupling at approximately 6.78 MHz, the processingcircuitry comprising a microcontroller to: configure wirelesscommunication circuitry to establish a bi-directional communication linkwith the PRU, exchange information for wireless power transfer (WPT)with the PRU over the communication link; cause a power amplifier of thePTU to generate an output by a resonator of the PTU for resonantcoupling with a resonator of the PRU for the WPT; performcross-connection detection to determine if there is a cross-connectionwith the PRU; if a cross connection is detected, encode signalling fortransmission over the communication link to indicate that a crossconnection is detected and inhibit the WPT; if a cross connection is notdetected, enable the WPT after a time period and detection of a validload; and perform rogue object detection.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein themicrocontroller is configured to establish a communication link witheach of multiple PRUs and supply power via WPT to each of the multiplePRUs.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim12 wherein the bi-directional communication link is a short-range lowenergy (LE) link.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 14 wherein the bi-directional communication link is aBLE link.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 12 wherein the signalling encoded for transmission over thecommunication link is PTU specific.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 12 wherein the microcontrolleris configured to detect a cross connection based on measured loadvariation.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 12 wherein the microcontroller is configured to determine if thePTU is permitted to engage with the PRU for WPT.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 18 wherein the microcontrolleris configured to generating signalling for transmission over thecommunication link to indicate that WPT with the PRU is permitted. 20.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12 whereinthe microcontroller is configured to adjust a time period forcross-connection check.
 21. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 12 wherein if WPT is permitted, the microcontroller isconfigured to generate signalling for transmission over thecommunication link to indicate waiting due to limited available power.